Lessons learned from Hurricane Matthew

Hurricane Matthew caught many unprepared. The rainfall — 15 inches in parts of North Carolina — was worse than predicted. And for some, it was the first time living through a Carolina hurricane.

We learned many lessons from Matthew, which we hope will save lives the next time a hurricane takes aim at North Carolina. Here are a few of the most important lessons, along with advice from readers across the region who responded to The Fayetteville Observer's Facebook page.

Don't tempt floodwaters

If you can't see the road, don't drive. Nearly all of the lives lost in eastern North Carolina involved someone driving into floodwaters or ignoring barricades and detours.

"It's simple: Don't drive around barricades that says 'road closed,'" said Barbara Whitehead, who lives in Ayden, near Greenville. She saw that even after floodwaters drop below the roads, sinkholes and weakened culverts claimed several vehicles driven around barricades.

The lesson: Those barricades are there for a reason, even the yellow tape DOT workers had to use once they ran out of roadblocks. Don't assume you know more about the road than the people who built it.

Let there be light

Few people have generators and stockpiles of fuel for several days. Nights got very dark once battery-powered flashlights faded. For most people, power was limited to small solar chargers and hopes that the day would be sunny enough to use them.

The lesson: A few decent solar-powered landscaping lights can make a world of difference. Buy one for each family member — they inexpensive and sold at many retailers — and leave them outside during the day. In the evening, bring them in so everyone has light for reading or finding the bathroom. Using these can save you from running down your phone battery with flashlight apps. Another novel idea: Get everyone a small LED light made for dog collars (the regular ones, not blinking), which provide enough light to get around in a dark house or yard.

Save your energy

Steve Berdeau, a St. Pauls native, learned something that many North Carolinians discovered the hard way: Most gas stations don't have alternate power for their pumps. "I learned to have plenty of gas in vehicles," he said. That became even more important when vehicles detoured off a flooded I-95 through the region. Those drivers quickly drained whatever pumps were still operating.

The lesson: Before the storm arrives, fill every vehicle and the gas can. Pick up an extra propane container for the grill. Far better to have the extra fuel and not need it than running dry.

Keep your cool

Two things that disappear when the power goes off: ice and air conditioning. Thankfully, Matthew was followed by decent weather, but Hurricane Fran in 1996 was followed by days in the 90s. Ice, needed to keep food safe and people cool, melts quickly.

The lesson: This requires a bit of planning. Have several clean gallon jugs stored. As a storm approaches, fill them and put them in your freezer. The ice will keep food from spoiling and help keep your family cool when the AC is out.

Stacy Marston added a clever idea: "I filled a glass of water and allowed it to freeze solid. Then I put a quarter on top of the ice. We lost power for several days. When the power came back on, I checked the quarter. The water was only half melted, so the quarter had not sunk to the bottom. This way I knew the food in my freezer was still good."

High and dry

Muddy water from Matthew flooded thousands of homes and businesses. It also seeped into lock boxes where many people store important papers.

"My family wasn't prepared at all," Stacy Bertagnolli said. "We had seen people freak out over 'snow storms,' and businesses and (Fort Bragg) would shut down over a light dusting of snow. So when all the hype was going around about Matthew, we just felt like everyone was over playing how bad it would be. Our family was definitely humbled."

The lesson: Seal important papers in zip-seal storage bags and place them as high as possible.

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